Motorist airlifted in serious condition following multi-vehicle crash; police seek vehicle
A multi-vehicle crash on southbound US-31 left a driver seriously injured and required an emergency airlift Tuesday evening, while authorities continue searching for a vehicle that fled the scene.
PORT SHELDON TWP. — A multi-vehicle crash on southbound US-31 left a driver seriously injured and required an emergency airlift Tuesday evening, while authorities continue searching for a vehicle that fled the scene.
According to the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office, emergency crews were dispatched at approximately 8:15 p.m. on July 28 to a personal injury crash at the intersection of southbound US-31 and Croswell Street. Initial reports indicated that at least one occupant was trapped inside a vehicle.
A preliminary investigation revealed that a 2017 Ford Explorer and a 2016 white Nissan Titan were both traveling southbound on US-31. The Titan pulled off onto the right shoulder, while the Explorer pulled onto the left shoulder.
As a southbound 1992 Chevrolet Silverado approached — unassociated with the other two vehicles — the Ford Explorer re-entered the roadway, directly into the Silverado's path. The collision sent the Silverado rolling into a ditch on the right side of the road.
Firefighters from the Port Sheldon Township Fire Department extricated the trapped driver of the Silverado, who was subsequently airlifted via AeroMed to a regional hospital in serious but stable condition.
Deputies reported that the white Nissan Titan fled the area prior to emergency responders arriving at the scene.
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The crash initially forced the complete closure of US-31 in both directions. While northbound lanes have since reopened, southbound US-31 remains closed at Taylor Street while investigators process the scene. Officials expect southbound lanes to remain closed for approximately one hour.
The Ottawa County Sheriff's Office is asking anyone with information regarding the crash, or the whereabouts of the white 2016 Nissan Titan, to contact their department immediately.
Anyone with relevant information is urged to contact the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office or submit an anonymous tip through Silent Observer at 877-88-SILENT (745368) or online at mosotips.com.
— Submitted by the Ottawa County Sheriff's Department. To submit a news tip, email newsroom@ottawanewsnetwork.org.
